DS doesn't complain of pain is limping

[rebl]

There has been no known injury or time when he could have injured himself. He does fall easily and appear to just collapse. This has been going on for years but the limp is new, like the last few days. Its got worse today to the point that school were very concerned. They nearly called but realised that once he gets moving he gets a bit better. We and they have noticed that if he's been sat in the same position for just 10mins he can barely walk afterwards. It looks like the problem is in his hips.

He has been complaining of knee pain on and off for about a month now. Considering he never complains of pain it must be pretty bad but then until the weekend its never been accompanied by limping or anything else to be concerned about. So we thought growing pains. But now we're not sure.

He's waiting for a full sensory assessment and dyspraxia assessment. Its been established so far that he doesn't respond to pain properly and that there are motor issues. Could this all be part of that? Or is this seperate? It seems odd that theres been no known instance when he could have injured himself.

[EllenJaneisnotmyname]

Perthes was the first thing to spring to my mind. How old is your DS? My friend's DS (with ASD!) had it mildly at about 5 or 6. He's fine now. Needs looking into, though.

[rebl]

He's 5.

I've just looked Perthes up and yep, it sounds like that. I've printed out a patient information sheet and I'll get him to the GP with that. We're at a pretty crap surgery and I'd be surprised if they'd even heard of it. So I'll take the sheet and give it to them.

Do I need a referal to an orthopedic bloke or just go to the general paed?

[EllenJaneisnotmyname]

Orthopaedic, I think. It's fairly common so hopefully the GP will have heard of it. Also, the younger the better, so 5 is good. My friend's DS was just monitored and it got better. He was supposed to rest! Yeah, right!

[rebl]

In the meantime try to limit jumping.

He jumps, he can't stop. He lives on the trampoline. Its the only thing that controls his aggression and gets him to sleep before midnight.

But having read what I've read tonight I can see why he's worse today. He spent over 4hours on a bouncy castle and trampoline yesterday.

[rebl]

What does he do instead? Is there something that provides that same sensory feedback that isn't bouncing? Its ds's self-regulated calming thing as you say. I he couldn't cope.

[rebl]

DS already hits himself and headbangs. I would hate increasing that .

We've introduced the wii over the last 6 months and yet to find something he can actually do. The hand eye coordination seems to be totally lacking and it makes him so frustrated. I wonder what the neighbours would think of a drum .

We're waiting to see a paediatric ot who does have a physio work with them so hopefully he'll be seeing them soon and can advise. The pyschologist says he probably needs a sensory diet. Lets hope its something that can work with this hip problem. 1st step though, GP!

[rebl]

Thanks justabout. I'm taking him to the GP this morning and I'll ask for a referal to an orthopedic person and hopefully he'll get an x-ray quickly. He seems quite a bit better today but he didn't do a lot of bouncing yesterday. Hopefully the orthopedic guy he saw for his arm can see him again. DS liked him and the guy was very understanding of his other issues. Would also mean I wouldn't have to explain ds again to another person.

[mariamagdalena]

My DS was limping, and the next day even he complained of pain and wasn't weight bearing... we ended up at paediatric A&E having scans etc. Limping can be serious, sometimes urgent, especially in a child who can't tell you what's wrong so don't be fobbed off with a waiting list.

[rebl]

Going for an x-ray in an hour. The GP was sure it wasn't an infection in the hip because of no temperature. He said that there is definatly a problem in the hip though and most likely Perthes disease and x-ray will confirm it. He also said that if he can barely walk like yesterday we're to bring him down to the surgery and they will see him straight away and get him seen by the paeds that day.

A proper junior drum kit sounds like ds's idea of heaven and dd's idea of hell!

[rebl]

Will do. He's had the x-ray now and he was so good with it considering how he was last time he had an x-ray. He's back in school this afternoon with instructions to limit bouncing and jumping. GP said that if he's limping we're to assume he's in pain and give calpol and school say they are happy to administer it so thats good (just got to fill in a form).

The x-ray people said the results will be with the GP in a week so we'll have to wait and see now.

[EllenJaneisnotmyname]

Well done, young rebl with the x-ray. Let us know what happens.